Welcome to this week’s business newsletter. This issue features the following articles:
- Tier 2 restrictions start tomorrow
- Local Restrictions Grants
- Deadlines for Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) claims
- Gearing up for Small Business Saturday
- Choose Local campaign scoops Comms award
- Christmas shopping at the Digital Fashion Market weekender
- Mayor announces fund to protect London's community spaces
- Property advice available
The Government has announced that as England moves out of lockdown on 2 December, London will be subject to Tier 2 restrictions.
Tier 2 (High Alert) is for areas with higher or rapidly rising level of infections, where some restrictions need to be in place. Under Tier 2, both essential and non-essential businesses are permitted to trade including; indoor/outdoor markets, all retail outlets, hairdressers and barbers, beauty salons, tattoo parlours, nail salons, spas and beauty services, massage parlours and tanning salons.
Certain leisure and sporting facilities may also open such as gyms, sports courts and facilities, leisure centres, fitness and dance studios, golf courses, swimming pools, riding centres, outdoor playgrounds – subject to relevant social contact rules in each tier.
Under Tier 2 businesses can only operate subject to certain conditions.
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Local Restriction Support Grants of up to £3,000 are now open for applications.
There are three grants available to certain businesses that:
- are required to close during the period of national restrictions (5 Nov to 2 Dec);
- did not have to close but were severely affected by the local tier 2 restrictions (17 Oct to 4 Nov);
- were required to close from 23 March and have been told to remain closed, e.g. nightclubs, (in-line with Government guidance, these payments will cover only the period 1 Nov to 4 Nov).
These grants will be based on the rateable value of the business’s premises and a business may be eligible for each premises in which they operate.
Currently there are no grants available for businesses not liable for business rates. Any new grants will be announced in this newsletter.
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New deadlines have been announced for businesses to make claims for employees furloughed on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.
There are now monthly deadlines for claims. Claims for periods starting on or after 1 November must be submitted up to 14 calendar days after the month they relate to. The next deadline to make claims for employees furloughed in November is Monday 14 December.
Businesses do not need to have benefited from the scheme before to claim for periods from 1 November.
The UK Government will pay 80% of employees’ usual wages for the hours not worked, up to a cap of £2,500 per month from 1 November. The Government will review the terms of the scheme in January.
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The Council's Choose Local. Support Everyone. to inform and persuade residents of the value in spending money locally has won Silver at the Public Service Communications Awards.
Up against more than 100 other entries, the awards recognise innovative and impactful communications.
Businesses can get involved with the campaign by sharing their services on social media using the hashtag #chooselocalWF.
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Small Business Saturday is this weekend (5 December).
Local businesses and community groups across Waltham Forest have created virtual fairs, markets and Christmas events.
There will be several activities across Waltham Forest:
Businesses are encouraged join in promotion of their own businesses on social media using #SmallBizSatUK @SmallBizSatUK.
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Join the Waltham Forest Digital Fashion Market to buy bespoke, local fashion and textiles goods of all kinds.
It’s the best place to shop sustainably for anything from stocking stuffers and show-stopping gifts, to a fashionable favourite to add to your home collection.
Drop in during the weekend of 4-6 December to shop – it’s free and open to all. Keen to meet the designers? They’ll be online Friday from 3:30-5pm, and Saturday/Sunday from 1-3pm.
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The Mayor of London has announced a new £750,000 fund to help grassroots community organisations hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic. These include cultural centres, social clubs, youth, education and other spaces that are locally-rooted and critical for supporting vulnerable groups.
It is particularly targeted at those most affected by the impact of Covid-19, including black, Asian and minority ethnic communities, LGBTQ+ communities, deaf and disabled people, and women’s-led groups.
Applications are open now until 3 Dec 2020 to apply for one-to-one support and grants up to £10,000.
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London Business Hub recognise that SMEs and micro business owners now more than ever need access to specialist advice and support to help them have a level playing field when dealing/discussing with their commercial landlords on a range of property issues, some increasingly complex.
The Property Advice Service provides free support and advice to London-based businesses with issues such as signing their first lease or licence, renewing an existing one, rent disputes, considering going to arbitration and eviction.
Dates: Friday 4 December, Tuesday 12 January, Tuesday 9 February, Tuesday 9 March. Time: 10.30am-12.30pm
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